The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has received a $512,925 award from the Walton Family Foundation to expand leadership development, career readiness, and workforce pathway programming through its Emerging Scholars Leadership Institute (ESLI), Chancellor Anthony Graham announced.
The investment strengthens structured programming that includes internship placement, mentorship, public speaking development, and professional skill-building designed to support first-generation and underrepresented students as they transition from college into competitive career pathways. The grant continues an initial $750,000 award to launch the program in 2023, bringing the Walton Family Foundation’s total investment in ESLI to $1.26 million.
Since its launch, ESLI has engaged 125 students across multiple cohorts, achieving a 100% internship placement rate, with students placed in 32 states. ESLI currently serves more than 100 active scholars annually through structured cohort-based programming and partners with employers nationwide to expand access to competitive professional opportunities. In addition to securing internship placements, 98% of ESLI participants secure full-time employment or enroll in graduate or professional school upon program completion.
Housed within the UAPB Division of Student Affairs, the program operates through a structured leadership development framework that incorporates data tracking, employer mentorship alignment, and professional competency benchmarks to ensure measurable career mobility outcomes. This model enables UAPB students to compete in both regional and national workforce markets.
The investment aligns with UAPB’s strategic goal of expanding access, career mobility, and employer-connected learning experiences across Arkansas. As a historically Black college and university (HBCU) and a 1890 land-grant institution serving a large population of first-generation college students, UAPB continues to prioritize structured leadership development that connects academic preparation with workforce opportunities.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“This investment means more doors open for our students,” said Tim Campbell, executive director of the Emerging Scholars Leadership Institute. “When students are given real exposure, mentorship, and structure, their confidence shifts and their futures look different. This support allows us to continue building the skills students need to become the leaders our communities and workforce will rely on in the years ahead.”
Kathy Richards, associate director of placement and assessment for ESLI, said the award enhances the program’s ability to track measurable outcomes while expanding employer engagement.
“This funding allows us to deepen employer partnerships and strengthen the systems we use to measure student success,” Richards said. “Our focus remains on ensuring students are positioned for successful transitions from college to career.”
Jillian Cheatham, associate director of leadership development for ESLI, said the continued investment supports the program’s growth and student engagement efforts.
“Intentional structure and consistent exposure are key to student development,” Cheatham said. “This award allows us to expand experiences that build confidence, professional awareness, and long-term leadership capacity.”
For Zaria Moore, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from UAPB in 2024, the impact of ESLI continues beyond graduation.
“In my career, I can clearly see the foundation ESLI built in me,” Moore said. “I now speak with confidence and clarity when working with customers, and I’ve learned how to actively listen and retain information in fast-paced environments. Working in banking requires you to be personable and thorough while truly understanding someone’s concerns to discover the right solutions. I can genuinely thank ESLI for helping me develop those skills.”
Aareyon Wallace, executive president of the UAPB Student Government Association, served as a 2024 Home Region Walton Family Foundation intern in Bentonville and now serves as a lead mentor for ESLI students. He said the experience reinforced the importance of leadership and mentorship in professional environments.
“Being a Walton intern showed me how vital leadership and structured mentor support are in professional spaces,” Wallace said. “Seeing how intentional guidance transforms students has strengthened my commitment to giving back. ESLI prepares students not just to access opportunities, but to create them.”
The Walton investment will support expanded internship pipelines, stronger employer partnerships, and scalable programming that connects academic preparation with real-world opportunity across Arkansas, the Arkansas Delta, and beyond.